Bookshelf



April 12, 1932 F. w. BAILEY BOOKSHELF Filed May 19, 1950 UHHmmf ArrPr.

Patented Apr. 12, v1932 UNireo STATES PATENT orries FREDERICK WILLIAM BAILEY, E PEMERQK o n'rlinro, lGANADA, ASSIGNORIEOHTHE STEEL EQUIPMENT COMPANY, LIMITED, or o'rrAwA, oM'rAa o, oA enA BOOKSHELF I Application filed May 19, 1930. Serial No. 453,522."

This invention relates generally-to improvements in shelves and more particularly to improvements in shelves for booksand the like.

One object of the invention is. to provide a strong, light and durable bookshelf that can be readily fitted in a case and which,

' first placed on the shelf, irrespective of the with the load on it.

length of time they may have been there.

With ventilated shelves at present in use in offices, libraries and otherwise, matter,

particularly books supported thereon, are

liable after a time to get out of, shape, due chiefly to unevenness in the top surface of such shelves. Frequently, too, this form of shelf has, in time, become warped or distorted These are serious objections, particularly where expensive and expensively bound volumes and the like are concerned.

With my improved shelf, however, such objections do not exist, as, besides having all the advantages of thorough ventilation, the top or resting surface 'forthe books is even and perfectly smooth and is thereby adapted to support indefinitely, in normal condition, books and other matter carried thereon.

With the foregoing and other objects hereinafter more fully referred to, the novel features of the invention comprise a bookshelf formed from a sheet'of suitable metal having therein longitudinally extending spaced channels in which are a plurality of air ducts or openings. The unchanneled portions forming a smooth even-topped surface for the reception of books and the like. The metallic sheet is also bent on itself to form reinforced back and front sides for the shelf. V

In the accompanying drawings an example of the shelf is disclosed in which:

Fig.1 is an enlarged perspective view of the shelf as a whole...

V Fig. 2 is a transverse section. 1

1 Fig. 3 is a section on line 8-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings in which like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in eachfigure, A'designates the shelf as a whole preferably, as here shown, formed from a single metallic sheetor section, in the smooth fiat'surface or top of whichiare provided the longitudinally extending countersunk channelsor air passageways 10, and 11, spaced from one another and from the sides oftheshelf to provide the flat even surfaced portions 12, 13, and 14,. for'the reception of books or the like and adapted to support such articles indefinitely without their becoming bent or out of shape. The: air. passageways 10, and 11, are formed with series of spaced elongated air ducts or openings 15, and 1.6, which in combination with the channels '10, and 11, provide for a continuous and free circulation ofair.

The material forming the shelf A is folded upon itself and bent as at 1 7, to form the reinforced front side 18, and is similarly folded on itself and suitably bent as at 19, to form a con- 7 tinuous lip for detachable engagement with any suitable means in a casing or support (not shown). 7

Further detachable supporting means are provided at the ends of the shelf A by end pieces 20, and 21, which may be spot welded or secured in any other suitable way to the shelf and which are each provided with a lug 22, for engagement with openings in the support or casing (not shown). These lugs may have a hole therethrough to engage with a suitable securing pin.

In addition to thus providing a ventilated shelf with a smooth even supporting surface, the folding and bending of themetallic sheet provide reinforcement which materially strengthens the shelf as a whole and eliminates any tendency to warp or become distorted, even when carrying a capacity load.

In operation, the shelf is fitted into a casing, the lugs 22, at each end engaging with openings in the casing standards, while the continuous lip 19, on the rear side of the-shelf engages with any suitable means in the casing for detachably and rigidly supporting the shelf therein.

Various forms of the apparatus described will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art it is, therefore, not intended that the present application should be limited to any particular form of construction; modifications may be made in the apparatus above described within the scope 'of the claims, withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope thereof.

What I claim for my invention is:

' 1. A shelf for books and the like, comprising a single sheet of metal having a continuous smooth surface, a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending channels formed in the surface having openings therein at spaced intervals relative to said channels, one side of the sheet being extended downwardly and folded upon itself to form a reinforcing side, the opposite side of said sheet being extended downwardly and folded upon itself to form a continuous lip, end pieces rigidly secured between the sides and co-ordinating with the channelled surface and formed with projections for detachable engagement with a support.

2. A shelf formed from a single metallic sheet having spaced channels in the top formed with ventilating openings in said channels, the front of the shelf beingextended and folded upon itself at right angles to the channelled top to form a reinforcing side, the rear being extended and folded upon itself and bent to form a continuous supporting lip, end pieces co-operating with the channelled top and having supporting means integral therewith.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand.

FREDERICK WVILLIAM BAILEY. 

